Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed is a story everyone should read. It is the story of the French village of Le Chambon during WWII. The story revolves around French pastor Andre Trocme and his village’s work to save around 5,000 Jews from Nazi troops. He, and everyone in the village, risked their lives to do this work.
Trocme was fully committed to non-violence in the midst of the time of the famous, “What about Hitler?” question that always comes up when I discuss non-violence with others. Trocme remained faithful to his commitment that faithful Christian discipleship requires a commitment to non-violence in the face of immeasurable violence and death. He lived this commitment out at a time when it cost him much. He was imprisoned, lost close friends and even a child, but he saved the lives of 5,000 fleeing Jews.
The book is not academic, it can be read by anyone with a high school reading level. It is a story more than a history. I was introduced to it in my class at Claremont School of Theology, Voices of Non-Violence, taught by Dr. Ellen Ott Marshall. This story stood out among the many different stories of great faith, courage, strength and love we learned. That an entire village rallied around this cause, and behind their pastor, almost defies belief. But it happened. It really happened.
For those who doubt that non-violence was a legitimate option in WWII read this story and see if your assumptions are challenged. For those committed to non-violence read this story for encouragement for how effective it can be and how great a witness it is. For those of you who have never heard that non-violence is a requirement of discipleship to Jesus read this story and be challenged by the lived beliefs of the people in this village. For those of you who just want to read a story from history that gives us hope instead of despair this is the one for you.
I can not recommend reading this book enough. It will change the way you look at life and discipleship.
Thank you to everyone who lived in Le Chambon at that difficult time. Your witness has not been lost.
Jimmy
I read this book last year, it is fantastic. I obtained the documentary on the same subject ‘Weapons of the Spirit’ published by the Chambon Foundation, a very moving DVD. I’m a Presbyterian from Northeern Ireland and I’ve sent the last few years rrading everything I could get my hands on on the subject of the Huguenots, The Camisards and generally the Reformed Church is France and was pleasantly surprised to discover the Le chambon series of incidents. The story is such that I think a ‘Block-buster’ movie should be made. I enjoyed your review and agree that what the people of Le Chambon did was true Christianity, Loving the Lord their (and my) God and Loving their neighbour as themselves.
What would we have done? ….Difficult to answer.
Incidently, this year I thoroughly enjoyed visting the Reformed sites in La Rochelle, we’ll worth it
happy new year
David